What procedures are required for imported vehicles?
4 Answers
Importing a vehicle requires several documents: the Import Certificate of Goods, the Inspection Sheet for Imported Motor Vehicles, the Vehicle Conformity Certificate, and the vehicle purchase invoice. First, the Import Certificate of Goods, also known as the dock receipt, is issued by customs. It serves as a crucial 'identity card' for parallel-imported vehicles and is an essential document for customs clearance. Without this certificate, parallel-imported vehicles cannot be registered. The content of the import certificate can identify the specific vehicle model, and the production location refers to the final manufacturing site, not the place of origin. It is important to keep this document safe, as reissuing it can be very troublesome if lost. The Inspection Sheet for Imported Motor Vehicles (commodity inspection) is another necessary document for registering parallel-imported vehicles. Without this inspection sheet, registration is impossible. Vehicle Conformity Certificate: Discrepancies in the names of the documents can make registration difficult. Manufacturers provide a Vehicle Conformity Certificate, stamped by the company and signed by the responsible personnel, when the vehicle leaves the factory. Therefore, it is essential to request this certificate when purchasing the vehicle. Purchase Invoice: The invoice is required for paying the purchase tax during registration. It should be carefully preserved and not folded or damaged.
I've personally imported a car before, and the procedures were quite extensive. First, you need to find a professional customs broker to handle the import license—otherwise, the car won't even make it past the border. At customs, you have to pay three types of taxes: import duty, VAT, and consumption tax, which combined can amount to around 40% of the car's value. During customs clearance, you also need to provide documents like the vehicle’s certificate of origin and original/copy of the purchase invoice. Customs will also inspect the car and verify the VIN. After all this, you move on to the DMV for registration, where you’ll need the Imported Motor Vehicle Inspection Report to obtain an environmental certification—only after passing the emissions test will they issue a license plate. The entire process takes at least 20 days, and if documents are incomplete, delays of up to two months aren’t uncommon.
The procedures for importing vehicles mainly consist of three major parts: during overseas purchase, you need to handle the export country's customs clearance documents and transportation insurance; for domestic customs clearance, you must prepare 3C certification and commodity inspection quarantine; and for later license plate registration, you need to deal with purchase tax and compulsory traffic insurance. I remember when I helped a friend with this, I found that you can't just choose any car model—it must be listed in our country's environmental protection catalog to be eligible for import. Here's a little tip: hiring a reputable imported car agent can save you a lot of hassle, as they are familiar with the customs policies of various ports. Qingdao Port and Tianjin Port are the most efficient when it comes to handling imported vehicles. Finally, I must remind everyone to thoroughly check the vehicle's emission standards—basically, anything below Euro 6 is out of the question.
Importing a car from overseas mainly involves three key steps: preparing complete documentation before shipping, including the original invoice and packing list; purchasing insurance through an international freight company during transportation; and handling a pile of customs clearance documents upon arrival. Tariffs are the major expense, with the specific amount depending on the vehicle's displacement. For example, the 3.0T sports car I was interested in last year had a comprehensive tax rate of around 47%. The most troublesome part is the vehicle conformity certification, which requires professional modifications to lighting and steering by certified agencies. It's advisable to start preparations at least three months in advance, as port warehouse parking fees can cost around 70-80 yuan per day.
